Colleen Hanabusa

It is with hearts both heavy and full of gratitude that we say goodbye to our beloved Colleen Wakako Hanabusa. To those who knew her, Colleen was so much more than a formidable lawyer and congresswoman; she was the heart of our family, a woman whose quiet strength was matched only by her boundless compassion. I’ll never forget the sound of her laughter, a bright, infectious thing that could fill a room, or the way her eyes would crinkle at the corners when she was deeply pleased, often over a perfectly ripe mango from her tree or a story about her grandchildren’s latest triumph. Colleen’s world revolved around family. She was a devoted daughter to her parents, a sister who offered unwavering support, and most profoundly, a mother and grandmother who cherished every moment. Our holiday tables were always a little louder, a little fuller, and infinitely sweeter because of her. She was the keeper of traditions, the one who insisted on making *mochi* for New Year’s with patient, meticulous hands, teaching each new generation the importance of heritage. Her love wasn’t loud; it was a steady, warm presence—a hand on your shoulder, a listening ear at midnight, a belief in you that felt unshakable. Her passions were a beautiful window into her soul. Beyond the halls of Congress, she found joy in her garden, where she coaxed life from the volcanic soil, and in the quiet study of history, particularly the stories of Japanese Americans that shaped her own identity and fierce sense of justice. She could debate policy with the sharpest mind in the room, then turn around and quote poetry or discuss the merits of a good mystery novel. Her work in public service was an extension of this deep love for people and place—a desire to lift up the community that raised her.